Head gasket 200e 1989 - Help required

[burt]

Dear All

Hope someone can ahelp.  I have just put my beloved 1989 200e in for service, (covered 119k) and to my horror I find the head gasket has gone (oil in the water etc) has anyone had this changed by a garage and what is the approx cost involved.  I only paid £2k for the car six months ago, so if its an expensive job may have to sell.

 

[csilk]

Head gasket 200e 1989

Hi Burt.  Use an independant MB specialist or better still get the manual and do the job yourself.    The multiplicity of pipes etc look a bit daunting but it really isn't that complicated.

Head gaskets seldom go on their own so when you do get the head off the car take it into an engine specialist and ask them to check it for warping and if so get them to skim it.

If in doubt take the head off yourself, get it skimmed, buy a new gasket and find a decent mobile mechanic just to come round and reassemble. You will save a fortune this way and still know the head bolts have been correctly torqued and the valve timing right etc.
Let me know how you get on.